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I think it's an amazing thing to be a trailblazer and the first to do something, but being first or the leader often means being alone. It can be scary when you have to walk a new road. However, the Lord is our shepherd. (Ps 23) This thought often gives me peace when I have to trust God in a new way. I once read that a good shepherd would historically walk the path which he wanted to take the sheep on before he took them down the path so he already knew the places along the way that may be challenging for the sheep to maneuver, where they could feed and even where they could rest. In other words, before the sheep were led down a path, the shepherd already knew that he could take them that way safely.
Another powerful example of God leading his people as a good shepherd is in the journey of Moses and the Israelites. We see the power of prayer works no matter where we are in life through their story.
Facing the Unknown with Faith
In Numbers 10, Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt into the wilderness. This was a journey without a map, but guided by God’s promises. Moses reached out to Hobab, his father-in-law’s son, asking him to join the journey and help them navigate the wilderness. Moses wanted someone familiar with the terrain to serve as a guide. However, Hobab declined.
It is natural when we are going into new places that we often look for someone who’s been there before—a mentor, a guide, a roadmap. Yet, when Hobab said no, Moses didn’t stop leading. Just because you don't have someone to show you "how" to do this, does not mean you can't do this. Just like Moses, we have to trust God to guide us.
Could it be that Hobab's "no" was a good thing because it propelled Moses to continue his journey totally dependent on God? Sometimes we have a tendency to get stuck when people disappoint us and are not there to help us when we are going through transitions. We can feel so hurt or abandoned, but consider this- maybe they couldn't be there for you because God has decided to be everything you need in the place where He is taking you.
Following God’s Presence
The Israelites followed the Ark of the Covenant, a physical symbol of God’s presence. This ark, described in Exodus 25, housed the tablets of God’s law and would later hold other testimonies of God’s provision, like manna and Aaron’s rod that budded. At the time, only the tablets were inside. Yet, the ark served as a constant reminder of what God had already done and a promise of what He would do. It also stood as a symbol of God's law. He binds himself to us through the words He says and when we follow what He says, He will not fail us.
For us, the lesson is clear: when stepping into uncharted territory, hold on to the testimonies of God’s faithfulness. Hold on to what He has commanded you. Let His past works strengthen your faith for the future. Trust that the God who parted the Red Sea and provided for you in past trials is already working in your current situation.
A Prayer for the Journey
Moses’ prayer in Numbers 10:35-36 offers a profound model for us:
"Rise up, O Lord, and let thine enemies be scattered; let them that hate thee flee before thee." Moses asked God to go before the Israelites, clearing obstacles and scattering their enemies. It’s a prayer of reliance, trusting God to fight the battles that lay ahead.
"Return, O Lord, unto the many thousands of Israel." When the ark stopped, Moses prayed for God’s presence to rest upon the people. This balance of movement and stillness—trusting God to act and resting in His presence—teaches us how to pray through uncharted territory.
How to pray when you don't know what God will do
Acknowledge God’s sovereignty. Recognize that He is leading, even when you don’t see the full path.
Ask Him to fight your battles. Whether it’s opposition at work, challenges in your family, or personal struggles, ask God to go before you and handle what you cannot.
Trust God in your down time. When the journey pauses, seek God’s rest and reassurance. Let Him renew your strength.
Release control. Moses and the Israelites followed God’s leading without knowing every step. Let go of the need to control the outcome, trusting that God’s plan is greater than yours.
A Call to Prayer
No matter where you find yourself today—whether stepping into a new season, navigating difficulty, or waiting in stillness—prayer is your anchor. Just as Moses prayed for God to rise and scatter His enemies, you can pray for God’s power to move ahead of you. And when it’s time to pause, ask for His presence to rest upon you.
Remember, just because it's new to you, does not mean it's new to God. He knows the way. Trust Him. Follow Him. He won't fail you.
Listen to How to Pray In New Places from the PRESS Movement Podcast.
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